New closer in TB; Red Sox bullpen a mess

Boston Red Sox- Alfredo Aceves and Mark Melancon both blew save chances in Sunday’s Red Sox game, with manager Bobby Valentine saying after the game that there were lots of options on the table, including possibly bringing Daniel Bard back to the bullpen.  Franklin Morales, who had a strong outing Sunday, could also be a candidate to close.  Hierarchy change: Franklin Morales to 2nd in line, replacing Vicente Padilla.

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedBOS |Aceves |Melancon |Morales |Bailey |4/9/12

 
Arizona Diamondbacks- Bryan Shaw picked up the save on Sunday, as JJ Putz had pitched two consecutive days prior.  No hierarchy change.

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedARI |Putz |Hernandez |Saito |Putz |4/9/12

 
Tampa Bay Rays- Fernando Rodney closed out Sunday’s game against the Yankees, notching his second save in as many days.  It seems that Joel Peralta’s leash was at short as it could be, as Rodney will close until Kyle Farnsworth returns from the DL.  Hierarchy change: Fernando Rodney to Closer, Joel Peralta to Set-up.

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedTB |Rodney |Peralta |McGee |Farnsworth |4/9/12 |Farnswor(DL)|

 
VULTURE SAVE WATCH
Kerry Wood- Carlos Marmol has pitched two days in a row, and in three of the last four.
Vinnie Pestano/Rafael Perez- Chris Perez has pitched two days in a row, and in three of the last four.  So, too, has Pestano, however, so Rafael Perez is also a candidate for a vulture save opp.
Jon Rauch- Frank Francisco has pitched two days in a row, and in three of the last four.
Greg Holland- Jonathon Broxton has pitched two days in a row.

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Fernando Rodney records second save, will close

April 8, 2012

Tampa Bay Rays- Fernando Rodney closed out Sunday’s game against the Yankees, notching his second save in as many days.  It seems that Joel Peralta’s leash was at short as it could be, as Rodney will close until Kyle Farnsworth returns from the DL.  Hierarchy change: Fernando Rodney to Closer, Joel Peralta to Set-up.

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedTB |Rodney |Peralta |McGee |Farnsworth |4/8/12 |Farnswor(DL)|

 
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New closers in Chicago, KC; Marmol and Peralta struggling

April 8, 2012

San Diego Padres- Luke Gregerson was the set-up man for the Padres late last season, but yesterday, they went to Gregerson in the 7th inning of a tie game, saving Andrew Cashner for the 8th.  Hierarchy change: Andrew Cashner to Set-up, Luke Gregerson to 2nd in line.

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedSD |Street |Cashner |Gregerson |Street |4/8/12

 
Washington Nationals- Davey Johnson has said that he would alternate between Henry Rodriguez and Brad Lidge for save opportunities, and he stayed true to his word, calling on Rodriguez to pitch the 9th yesterday.  He closed the game out successfully, and the next opportunity should go back to Lidge.  No hierarchy change.

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedWAS |Lidge |Rodriguez |Clippard |Storen |4/8/12 |Storen(DL) |

 
Chicago Cubs- Carlos Marmol had another ugly performance on Saturday, two days after taking the loss in the Cubs’ opener.  Marmol, who blew 10 saves in 2011, would be in more danger if set-up man Kerry Wood had been anything less than awful as well.  But should Marmol continue to struggle, the Cubs may be forced to look to Wood, or perhaps to young Rafael Dolis, for the 9th inning role.  Carlos Marmol to Hot Seat. 

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedCHC |Marmol |Wood |Dolis |Marmol |4/8/12

 
Tampa Bay Rays- Joel Peralta was brought in to stop the Yankees rally yesterday, but only faced two hitters, the second of whom hit a HR off him.  Jake McGee was then brought in for one batter before Fernando Rodney came in to close it out.  Based on Peralta’s success filling in as closer last year, he figures to get another shot, but could be in danger of losing the job should he falter again.  Joel Peralta to Hot Seat.

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedTB |Peralta |Rodney |McGee |Farnsworth |4/8/12 |Farnswor(DL)|

 
Cleveland Indians- Tony Sipp was shelled on Saturday, two days after he looked shaky in the season’s opener.  For the time being, the Indians will likely call on Rafael Perez when they need a lefty, at least while Sipp works himself out.  Hierarchy change: Rafael Perez to 2nd in line, replacing Tony Sipp.

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedCLE |C.Perez |Pestano |R.Perez |C.Perez |4/8/12

 
Chicago White Sox- Hector Santiago closed out the White Sox victory on Saturday.  The White Sox mystery closer has been revealed, though the young lefty was not the trendy choice until he was seen warming up in the bullpen for a possible save opportunity that never materialized on Friday.  Jesse Crain seems to have fallen into a middle inning role, leaving Matt Thornton and Addison Reed to pitch the 7th and 8th.  Hierarchy change: Hector Santiago to Closer, Matt Thornton to Set-up.

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedCHW |Santiago |Thornton |Reed |Reed |4/7/12

 
Kansas City Royals- The Royals, up 4 runs in the 8th inning, went to Greg Holland first.  Jonathon Broxton pitched the 9th in a non-save situation and will close for the foreseeable future.  Hierarchy change: Jonathon Broxton to Closer, Greg Holland to Set-up.

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedKC |Broxton |Holland |Crow |Broxton |4/7/12 |Soria(DL) |

 
VULTURE SAVE WATCH:
None.

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Joel Peralta to close in TB; Dodgers bullpen shuffle

April 6, 2012

Tampa Bay Rays- Kyle Farnsworth was on the Rays’ 25-man opening day roster yesterday, but today, he’s been placed on the disabled list after complaining of elbow soreness.  Joel Peralta will see save opportunities in his absence.  Hierarchy change: Joel Peralta to Closer, Fernando Rodney to Set-up, Jake McGee to 2nd in line, Kyle Farnsworth to DL.

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedTB |Peralta |Rodney |McGee |Farnsworth |4/6/12 |Farnswor(DL)|

 
Los Angeles Dodgers- Matt Guerrier pitched the 7th inning in a two-run game last night.  With Guerrier and the also-talented Mike MacDougal eating up the middle innings for the Dodgers, Scott Elbert might be reduced to a LOOGY role.  Hierarchy change: Matt Guerrier to 2nd in line, replacing Scott Elbert. 

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedLAD |Guerra |Jansen |Guerrier |Guerra |4/6/12

 
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Farnsworth hurt, Peralta to close

Tampa Bay Rays- Kyle Farnsworth was on the Rays’ 25-man opening day roster yesterday, but today, he’s been placed on the disabled list after complaining of elbow soreness.  Joel Peralta will see save opportunities in his absence.  Hierarchy change: Joel Peralta to Closer, Fernando Rodney to Set-up, Jake McGee to 2nd in line, Kyle Farnsworth to DL.

 |Closer |Set-Up |2nd In Line |2013 Closer |UpdatedTB |Peralta |Rodney |McGee |Farnsworth |4/6/12 |Farnswor(DL)|

 
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